Power Struggles and Public Relations Disasters: Inside the Turbulent Day of Keir Starmer's Government

In a dramatic turn of events within Keir Starmer’s government, tension reached a boiling point, described by a senior figure as ”not our finest 24 hours”. The chaos stemmed from anonymous briefings leaked to the press, indicating friction and potential leadership challenges, particularly surrounding Health Secretary Wes Streeting. While Streeting publicly defended his loyalty to Starmer and demanded accountability for the leaks, the Prime Minister stressed that ”attacks on ministers are unacceptable”. This incident raised questions about Starmer’s leadership and the possibility of internal sabotage, with speculation regarding a leak inquiry and potential sackings looming.

As the situation unfolded, Starmer and Streeting held an urgent phone call, during which Starmer apologized, but did not address the controversy revolving around Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, who has been identified as a key figure in both the government’s successes and failures. Criticism toward McSweeney has surged, particularly as some Labour figures linked him to the coordinated negative briefings that marred Streeting’s professional image.

Despite the turmoil, Streeting managed to conduct himself with composure during an array of pre-arranged media interviews, displaying a level of communication skills that some believe Starmer lacks. Many Labour MPs are frustrated with the ongoing spectacle within the government, which they feel undermines their credibility and distracts from pressing issues. As the Prime Minister contends with declining popularity and increasing scrutiny, there is a growing sense among Labour ranks that without addressing their deep-rooted unpopularity, further public relations failures are inevitable. The current situation serves as a critical warning to Starmer’s administration to either regain control or face more profound repercussions in the future.